Tag: Bielema

Oct 8, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) runs the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois star RB Chase Brown (leg) ‘trending in right direction’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Illinois running back Chase Brown, the nation’s leading rusher, is “trending in the right direction” after injuring his right leg late in Saturday’s loss to Purdue, coach Bret Bielema told reporters Monday.

Brown needed help getting back to the Fighting Illini’s bench after being tackled out of bounds during the final minute of the 31-24 defeat.

“Very positive and excited, but don’t know where we’ll be by Friday for the trip and Saturday for the game,” Bielema said.

No. 21 Illinois (7-3, 4-3 Big Ten) is still in the race for the Big Ten West title and a spot in the conference championship game despite losing to Purdue. Up next, though, is a crucial game at No. 3 Michigan.

Brown has gained an FBS-high 1,442 rushing yards on 280 carries (5.2 yards per carry) through 10 games. He has seven touchdowns on the ground along with three receiving touchdowns. Against Purdue, he finished with 98 rushing yards — a season low — and two rushing scores.

Bielema also said that cornerback Taz Nicholson would be out for the rest of the season with a dislocated wrist that required surgery.

–Field Level Media

Nov 27, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema waits to take the field with his players during Saturday s game with the Northwestern Wildcats at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Bret Bielema to keep Illini QB secret until Saturday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bret Bielema knows and his starting quarterback is aware, but the Illinois head coach plans to keep the rest of the world guessing until Saturday.

Bielema said he has informed his starting quarterback of his status for Saturday’s opener against Wyoming, but his intention is to shield that information from others until gameday.

“I know who the starting QB is,” he said Monday, “our starting QB knows who it is and our team does. So, we’ll kind of stick to that messaging.”

Bielema said he treats quarterback as he would any other position and won’t publicly identify starters from depth chart competitions.

“I don’t see the advantage of (who’s starting) being known before Saturday,” he said.

Art Sitkowski and Syracuse transfer Tommy DeVito have been competing since spring practice to take over the Fighting Illini offense.

Illinois was 5-7 in 2021, Bielema’s first season at Illinois. Wyoming went 7-6 last season and won the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

–Field Level Media